Tell Me A Secret

Author: Holly Cupala

Release Date: June 22 2010

Summary: In the five years since her sister's death, Miranda Mathison has wondered about the secret Xanda took to the grave. Now, just as Miranda is on the cusp of her dreams-a best friend to unlock her sister's world, a ticket to art school, and a boyfriend to fly her away from it all-Miranda has a secret of her own.

When two lines on a pregnancy test confirm her worst fears, she's stripped of her former life. Miranda must finally face her sister's demons and her own to truly free herself.

In this powerful debut novel, stunning new talent Holly Cupala illuminates the dark struggle of a girl who must let go of the past to face her future.

Review: I have to say that the first few pages did not interest me. They were confusing and the layout bothered me. First the main character would talk and in the present tone, but then there would be a break in the page and there would be a flashback then another break and back to the present.

But, the layout was actually a reason for why the better part of the book worked so well. I cried so much during the story because it was so emotional. Torturous decisions and the realism of the emotions conveyed the roller-coaster lifestyle of Miranda, the main character. Her story was powerful, leaving a deep impression on me about what life may throw at us.

Miranda wasn't a bad person, but one decision shot her through a series of related events leading back to her sister's death, which Miranda clearly had trouble accepting and moving past. Miranda made a bad choice, but in the end life knew what it was doing because it gave her back her happiness and peace of mind. Realistic fiction that portrays other peoples' true stories vividly is rare, but Holly Cupala did a wonderful job pulling at my heartstrings! :)

Rating: 1 2 3 4 5 *

Maybe if the introduction had been as good as the rest of the book, then I might have given it a 5. I'm reluctant to rate it a 4 because of the inconsistency, but the story was solid and the fact that it can make you cry deserves a lot of points.